It all began with a Google announcement ( http://goo.gl/joqjNq ) in February which said:

Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices

Now, this is not ‘out of the blue’ or unprecedented. Google had made similar but less extensive changes to smartphone search results much earlier. ( http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/changes-in-rankings-of-smartphone_11.html ). However, that one didn’t use the SEO trigger phrase of ‘ranking factors’ and merely said:

To improve the search experience for smartphone users and address their pain points, we plan to roll out several ranking changes in the near future that address sites that are misconfigured for smartphone users.

But in both cases this affects mobile search, not all search.

Let me repeat that so we are clear.

Google have announced that when you are searching using a mobile device it is finally going to try to send you to a result that works on the mobile device you are currently using, and down-grade the listings for sites you can’t fully use.

This is a obvious move and it’s been in the making for a while.

People and SEO MASTERS of the universe are writing story after story about this MASSIVE PROBLEM. That in reality its not a problem a all.

But this is still an algorithm update about mobile search and not desktop or default search results.

Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results.

In reality if you didn’t care about mobile before because lets face it you have a billion other things to worry. Then you are probably not missing out on much anyway.

Your mobile experience sucked so you got zero conversions so now with less traffic you’re also going to get a big FAT zero anyway.

Mobilegeddon = Whatevergeddon

Source: Ammon Johns

About me

Hi, I'm Phillip Parisis and welcome to my blog where you will find the latest in digital marketing and conversion rate optimisation strategies that work. I'm a digital strategist from way back helping businesses and start-ups grow. I'm experienced, results-driven, innovative, unique and a lover of dogs and fashion.